Diverting Water Main to Install Culvert

The Issue

The City of Westfield in Massachusetts, a Team EJP Value Added Service customer, was working with a contractor to install a new box culvert. Upon investigation, it was ascertained that an 18” cast iron water main was in the way of the footings that needed to be poured for the culvert to be installed. The contractor needed to lower the water main, but the city could not shut it down without shutting off a large number of customers. They needed to divert the water main.

How the AVT EZ Valve was the Solution

A plan was put in place which would see the water main lowered with new piping installed. This involved the installation of three 18” AVT EZ Valves, a project which took just three days. Four Team EJP service technicians earned their certifications while working alongside an experienced contractor and an AVT representative to ensure all processes were correctly followed.

Watch the full AVT EZ Valve installation below

The Installation

The water line ran under a road which was closed to ensure the safety of the installation crew. The line was then exposed and cleared to enable the smooth installation of the AVT EZ Valve.

The valve gasket was placed on the pipe to enable its final position to be marked. The pipe was taped, and grease was applied to the pipe and gasket which was in place on the valve body.

The valve parts were fit together, lowered to the pipe, and set in place.

A greased gasket set on the pipe ready to receive the bonnet which was then bolted in place.

The end rings were installed to hold the gear box.

The EM (end milling) machine was installed into the top of the valve.

Once connected to the power the EM machine was rotated 120^o around the pipe to form a slot which would hold the resilient wedge gate. The isolation gate was closed, and the EM machine removed.

The bonnet wedge was then greased before being lowered into the excavation and fitted to the valve body.

The installation was then complete.